Taiwan’s fruit exporters are predicting a difficult export season this year after inclement weather has reduced fruit yields and driven up prices.
Last October’s typhoon Krosa and subsequent cold spring weather cut export volumes for bananas, mangoes and lychees by an average of around 20 per cent, Taiwan’s export promotion agency Taitra told Fruitnet.
“As a result, prices of Taiwanese fruits are higher, therefore making them rather difficult to export,” a Taitra spokesman said
Banana volumes are worst hit, with exports during the first five months of 2008 down 65 per cent on the prior year period to 8,962 tonnes, Taitra revealed.
“We don’t expect Taiwanese fruits to do well in the international markets this year. However, we are always optimistic for a better year in 2009,” the spokesman said.
This dip in export volumes comes after three consecutive years of increased shipments to international markets.
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